Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein or; The Modern Prometheus, published in 1818, is a product of its time. Written in a world of social, political, scientific and economic upheaval it highlights human desire to uncover the scientific secrets of our universe, yet also confirms the importance of emotions and individual relationships that define us as human, in contrast to the monstrous. Here we question what is meant by the terms ‘human’ and ‘monstrous’ as defined by the novel. Yet to fully understand how Frankenstein defines these terms we must look to the etymology of them. The novel however, defines the terms through its main characters, through the themes of language, nature versus nurture, forbidden knowledge, and the doppelganger motif. Shelley also shows us, in Frankenstein, that although juxtaposing terms, the monstrous being everything human is not, they are also intertwined, in that you can not have one without the other. There is also an overwhelming desire to know the monstrous, if only temporarily and this calls into question the influence the monstrous has on the human definition.

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) describes ‘human’ as being ‘Of, belonging to, or characteristic of mankind, distinguished from animals by superior mental development, power of articulate speech, and upright posture.’ (OED). The term ‘monstrous’ is described as ‘The condition or fact of being abnormally developed or grossly malformed.’ (OED) Yet, we as humans define ourselves not just on biological terms but socially and spiritually too. In Frankenstein the Monster, who by his very label and beginnings implies a perfect example of monstrosity is, in fact, articulate and erect yet is still not considered human in the traditional sense. It is his eventual spiritual and social malformation that fully defines him as monstrous.

Even as language plays a huge part in the definition of human, as taken from the OED, the narration, and thus language, in Frankenstein also helps to...

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...Discuss Mary Shelley’s approaches and methods in relation to the theme of questionable motives in ‘Frankenstein’ (part of letter 1).
In ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley, the theme of questionable motives is a reoccurring one, of which many become apparent at the very beginning of the novel in the letters sent from Walton to his sister, Margaret. During letter one, arguably the most important character in the novel, Robert Walton, is introduced where he notifies Margaret of his preparations leading up to his departure to his dangerous voyage and his burning desire to achieve ‘some great purpose’.
In his first letter Walton talks about his ‘expedition’ and how it has been his ‘favourite dream of my early years’, emphasizing the fact that it has been a lifelong desire for him and finally he is getting the chance to pursue it. It is questionable whether this dream is realistic or if it was solely a young boy’s ambition. Furthermore, Walton also mentions that he feels his heart ‘glow with an enthusiasm’ which happens to ‘elevate’ him ‘to heaven’, which could demonstrate the extent of his passion or highlight his hyperbolic self obsessed character. The language he uses suggests it is like an addiction to him now and that he believes this voyage is his sole purpose for life. By using the word ‘heaven’, also suggests a small link to religion, which at this stage in the novel we are unsure of Walton’s views.
In addition, Walton describes...

...Presentation of ‘The Monstrous’ in the opening chapters of Frankenstein
In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley presents a powerful depiction of monstrous nature that is perceived to us through the use of: nature, context, contrast, perception, imagery and language in the novel. Through these devices and means, a bleak outlook of humanity as a whole is portrayed.
According to Fred Botting in, ‘Making Monstrous’ monsters often appear in political and literary writings as symbols of ‘a terrible threat to established orders’ and therefore ‘frequently emerge in revolutionary periods.’ In the case of Frankenstein, the context of the French revolution may have some bearing on the presentation of the creature, as it showed that brutality leads to brutality, and that people are often a product of the society they experience. The creature is neglected and maltreated, and therefore becomes bitter and vengeful. This leads us to conclude that through Shelley’s experiences during her lifetime, she believed the monstrous nature of Frankenstein’s creature was purely due to its neglect and abuse, making its actions, to an extent, no fault of its own.
Shelley uses nature and the environment to prophesise the arrival of the monstrous in the novel. Peter Brooks comments in ‘Godlike Science/Unhallowed Arts": Language, Nature, and Monstrosity’ that ‘virtually every time nature is...

...FrankensteinFrankenstein, the big green monster with bolts jutting out from its neck, is violent and terrifying. This is what the modern day image of Frankenstein has evolved into that has become a common Halloween costume for children and a spine shivering campfire story. But this is not how Mary Shelley pictured the monster when she wrote the novel, Frankenstein, back in 1818. Due to the effect of Hollywood and peoples perception of this story over time, Frankenstein, who is in fact nameless in Shelley’s novel and is actually the scientists name who created the monster, has turned out to be nothing of what the intended meaning of Frankenstein was originally. Ever since the story of Frankenstein has been published, people have tried to understand and explain what the true meaning of this historical novel is about. There are hints toward the story of Adam and Eve and how Shelley’s story portrays a (God-like representation of mankind) while others have thought how Shelley demonstrates a female perspective throughout the story. And while there are many more explanations, what a lot of people don’t know about this story is that many of the events that take place throughout Frankenstein are inspired events from Mary Shelley’s life and the effects those events had on her. So while time has changed the look of the monster, people have argued the meaning of...

...In Frankenstein, the creature does not become evil until his creator and the human race rejects him. Mary Shelley’s book focuses on a scientist who creates a creature who is evil in the eyes of humanity. Mr. Frankenstein creates a being that is ugly, vile and a huge ogre in size. He is a wretch that when people see him faint and pass out. The story’s climax comes when the creature’s creator refuses to make another creature like him. The scientist knows that if he makes a second creature it could become worse than the first creature he created. The creature gets very upset and vows that his creator will be his enemy as long as they both shall live. The creature kills everything dear to Frankenstein. He vows that one day he will destroy his creator just as he did the rest of his dear loved ones.
On the surface Frankenstein is a story about a scientist who creates a creature that in the end becomes an evil demonic being. Mr. Frankenstein as we see in the beginning wanted to create a creature that would be beautiful and full of life. In the end when he is finished, he has created something he could not even have imagined. On page 51 of the book you will see his creation finished: “How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavored to form? His limbs were in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful....

...figures in human development throughout childhood and adolescence is fundamental; parents provide their children with a foundation on which to lead their lives. Parents are expected to provide their children with food, shelter and other necessities for survival along with love and kindness which helps to develop the child’s personality. In the novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley explores the roles in which a parental figure can affect the development of a person as a whole. There are many different ways to raise a child and each way has its own implications, whether a child is over nurtured or rejected will influence the way they behave as adults. Shelley explores the different styles of parenting through the relationships of Victor and his parents, Justine and her parents, and Victor and his monster. Each of the various relationships utilizes a different model of parenting and the effect is shown through the behavior and attitudes of each character.
The first parent-child relationship that is shown in the novel is that of Victor and his parents. As a child Victor grew up with two caring and affectionate parents. His parents, Mr. Frankenstein and Caroline provided him and his siblings with love and compassion. They allowed their children to excel in their educational pursuits without pressuring them into a specific area of study. Victor commenting on his childhood remarks, “When my father became a husband and a parent he found his time so...

...Frankenstein Project:
Compare works that express a universal theme and provide evidence to support the ideas expressed in each work.
Themes:
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)
-Dangerous pursuit of knowledge
-The nature and importance of friendship and love
-Obsession and the consequences and causes
-Outcast and monstrosity, secrecy
-Creature tries to fit in to society, and is still shunned by differences
-Prejudiced
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932)
-Outcast in society
-Fitting into society, either individual or society must change, John Savage accepts that he does not fit into society, shunned
• To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)
-Prejudice against Boo Radley, expected to be a monster, actually has honorable, heroic qualities
• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (1937)
-Lennie Small, Crooks-defomities
• Flowers to Algernon by Daniel Keyes
-Obession to improve, knowledge
Romantic Nature:
-Sublime nature, the affects it has on the person, emotions and feelings, expressive
• Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey by William Wordsworth (1798)
-Both return to places that bring back a rush of emotions and feelings
In Tintern Abbey:
“…I have owed to [these beauteous forms]/In hours of weariness, sensations sweet,/ Felt in the blood, and felt along the heart;/ And passing even into my purer mind,/ With tranquil restoration…” (Wordsworth...

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In Walton's letter, an important character is introduced, Victor Frankenstein. In the second letter, Walton regrets his lack of friends. He feels lonely and remote, unable to find a space in this world for him. When Walton meets the stranger, he picks him up as a friend he always wanted to have. Walton's desire for companionship resembles the monster's desire for a friend throughout the novel when he realizes he doesn't speak the same language as the other people he meets.
This parallel between Victor and Walton seems to show that the two have things in common
The desire for knowledge and its impacts are important in these letters. The stranger tells Walton, "You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been."
Walton, like Frankenstein is captivated by the desire to learn, and try to find answers to things no one knows about: "What may not be expected in a country of eternal light?"
Finally, Victor and Walton both have very loving family backgrounds. The beginning of the book starts with Walton sending letters to his sister Margaret to update her tells her that he is safe. Victor, on his side, is very loving to Elizabeth and marries her later on in the play.
The mood of the letters change from the beginning to the end. The first letter is all good new from Robert Walton saying that he is finally on his trip to the pole and...

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You Can't Always Get What You Want (Or Even What You Need)
“All men hate the wretched; how, then, must I be hated, who am miserable beyond all living things! Yet you, my creator, detest and spurn me, thy creature, to whom thou art bound by ties only dissoluble by the annihilation of one of us.” (102) Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a Gothic novel published in 1818. It tells the story of Victor Frankenstein - a man who attempted to play God by creating life from an “inanimate body.” (58) Frankenstein's need to prove his acumen as a scientist led to his creation of a creature that becomes a monster. Frankenstein abhors his own creation. On the night he succeeds in bringing his creature to life, he becomes frightened by his creature and abandons it with nothing to comfort it in this strange new world into which it has been thrust. The creature's first experiences were feelings of disgust, rejection, and isolation from its creator. In many ways, the creature’s story echoes that of Genie. Taken by child protective services in 1970, Genie was considered to be a feral child – “a lost or abandoned child raised in extreme social isolation.” (Thomson) Genie spent the first thirteen years of her life living in a cage, at the direction of her father, supplied only with the most minimal life sustaining physical care but deprived of emotional and physical contact. Following her removal from her abusive family home, Genie was subjected to...